Property and housing disputes

Sharpe Pritchard combines expertise in dispute resolution with in-depth knowledge of each sector. This means that we are able to help public bodies and private sector contractors to manage risk and resolve disputes in a commercial and cost-effective manner.

We have extensive knowledge of social housing law, including its statutory and regulatory requirements and provide advice on the application of public sector equality duties. We also advise on housing management issues, variation of the terms of tenancy agreements and stock transfers. We regularly advise our clients and act for them in a wide range of proceedings including cases involving anti-social behaviour and nuisance, disputed succession and under-occupation, unauthorised occupation and trespass. In addition to possession proceedings, we also regularly deal with applications for injunctions to ensure compliance with tenancy conditions and terms of leases and where access is required.

The team deals with homelessness appeals and challenges to decisions by housing authorities by way of judicial review to the High Court. We also deal with disrepair claims and residential leaseholder disputes, including breaches of leases and applications to the Property Chamber of the First-Tier Tribunal involving service charge disputes and leasehold enfranchisement.

We advise our clients in relation to breaches of commercial leases and taking forfeiture action, and deal with lease renewal proceedings, both contested and uncontested.

Recent work

Outright order for possession obtained in a case where a members of the tenant’s family and household had been convicted of criminal offences;

injunction order obtained against a hoarder, allowing a London local authority access to his property for the purposes of clearing it;

What others say

Colin Ricciardiello “… provided support and a proactive approach at all times.” A client

Colin Ricciardiello “… gave a detailed intelligent and thoughtful analysis of all the issues we faced.” A local authority client

“Leader in the field” and "admired by sources for his impressive commercial awareness." Justin Mendelle's clients say that he is "unflappable and very thorough, and has the ability to quickly grasp the issues at hand"Chambers UK, 2014.